Imagine Con Launches Kickstarter to Bring Comic Con Experience to Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 2014

Press Release:

Imagine Con seeks to bring Comic Con experience to Spartanburg

Nonprofit Convention raising funds to create a convention at Spartanburg Expo Center this Fall

Spartanburg, SC: You likely have heard of Comic Con and other conventions where fans gather, wear costumes, play games, buy toys and comics, and basically let their geek flag fly.  If two local residents have their wish, you will soon be able to experience that excitement this fall in Spartanburg at a new convention called Imagine Con.

Scott Freeman and Keith Bishop, both from Spartanburg, have put together plans to bring a large scale convention to the Spartanburg Expo Center the first weekend of October.  They founded a SC nonprofit organization last year, and they have been working for the last 9 months planning and preparing for the convention.  Now the planning is in the final stages, but now they need the help of local residents to make their plan a reality.

The duo wants to make Imagine Con a multi-fandom event, which means that fans of all genres of pop culture will feel at home.  “Some conventions focus on one element, but we want fans of science fiction, fantasy, comics, horror films and TV, anime, etc. to feel that Imagine Con offers something for them.” Keith, Imagine Con’s Media Director, explains.  Because they are a nonprofit corporation geared toward education, they want to use the interests people have in pop culture to educate as well.  Scott, the Event Director for Imagine Con, states, “Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science, and interests in horror, fantasy and costuming can lead to career paths in entertainment.” They point to the popularity of shows like Face Off and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge and evidence of the knowledge required to make movie magic happen, and with the Southeast becoming a popular place for filming shows like The Walking Dead and movies like The Hunger Games, education in those skill sets can be a valuable asset.

Scott says, “We see Imagine Con as a great opportunity to bring a multi-fandom convention to Spartanburg. We have seen the impact that a convention can have on the community, and we want Spartanburg to experience that, as well as using the convention as an opportunity to give back to the community.”  To accomplish that, Imagine Con is planning a charity auction with the proceeds going to two local charities: The Hope House for Children and The Spartanburg Humane Society.  In addition, Imagine Con will provide the charities space at the convention and groups of tickets.

Imagine Con is also planning to partner with The Blood Connection to have their van present at the event and to offer a special incentive to give blood.  Keith states, “We see that as a basic need and we want to use the Con to help make sure we have an adequate blood supply for the community.”

Beyond the charity aspects, Keith and Scott feel that bringing a convention to Spartanburg has many other benefits.  Keith explains, “A convention like Imagine Con can bring attendees from all over the Southeast—attendees who will stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and shop at local businesses.”   If thousands attend as they are expecting, they also say the event could also have a long reaching effect of showcasing Spartanburg as a destination.

Keith and Scott have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for the convention and gauge local interest. Keith says, “We need to see if Spartanburg can really support a large scale convention, and we want to give those who believe that it can an opportunity to get in on the ground floor and donate, as well as have the chance to get in on special pricing for attendance, vendor tables, and sponsorships.”

Scott states ,“Putting on a convention of this magnitude is a daunting and expensive task.  If the people of the Upstate are willing to support our plan, we promise an awesome convention experience.”  If the goal is not reached, the convention will be postponed until alternate funding can be found.  As Keith puts it, “We do not want to close the door, but if we can’t reach the goal through Kickstarter, we will have to seek our corporate sponsors and that will make launching this year a difficult target.”

If you want to see Imagine Con become a reality, you can donate to their Kickstarter, and be sure to like Imagine Con on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to get the latest information as the convention progresses.

About Imagine Con: Imagine Con is a SC nonprofit corporation founded in 2013 to promote education around science fiction and fantasy as portrayed in the media arts. The primary means to achieve this goal is a family-friendly, multi-fandom convention planned for October 2014 in Spartanburg, SC.

Paris Cullins, the Batmobile, and More Planned for the April 2014 Philadelphia Comic-Con

Press Release:

It is the return of the Philadelphia Comic-Con on Sunday April 27th.  This comic book convention is held at the Clarion Hotel (formerly the Ramada) located at 76 Industrial Highway (Route 291) in Essington, PA 19029.  The hotel is conveniently located off of exit 9A on I-95.  It is also close to I-76,I-476 and most bridges from New Jersey.  Show hours are 10 AM to 4 PM.  Admission is only $3 per person.  Students of any age (including college) are admitted free with a current id.   Parking is also free on premises.  For those of you that do not drive Septa Bus Route 37 stops directly in front of the hotel.

It is quite a site to behold with 60+ tables at the show in the 4,500 square foot ballroom of the hotel.  Dealers from 5 states setup there selling, buying and even trading with collectors. Thousands and thousands of comic books from the 1940′s to present day will be for sale at the show.  Also available will be collecting supplies, graphic novels, action figures, statues, non-sportcards, dvd’s and original artwork.  The show has become a fan favorite for years with people travelling up to 3 hours one way just to shop at the show.

Special guest artists are DC Comics artist Paris Cullins, sketch card artist Laura Inglis and the creator of the webcomic “Doctor Warped” Bob Gerkin.  Also weather permitting we will have a full size replica of the Batmobile from the 1966 TV show starring Adam West and Burt Ward.

Any questions about the convention can be sent to dwoywood@yahoo.com or we can be reached by phone at 856-217-5737.  Fans can also check us out on the web at www.philadelphiacomic-con.com.  Or on Facebook at facebook.com/comicbookshows.

Terror Con Bringing Stars of Horror, the Paranormal, Rock, and Wrestling to Rhode Island in 2014

Press Release:

TERROR CON:

The Area’s Biggest Horror, Paranormal, Rock and Wrestling Show!

JUNE 07-08,2014       PROVIDENCE ,RI

WWW.TERRORCON.NET

Coming to you from the dedicated group that brings you The Rhode Island Comic Con …

TERROR CON: Bringing you the biggest names in Horror, Paranormal, Rock and Wrestling in an fun and fear filled show

Rhode Island Comic Con is known nationwide for an incredible show that amazes and astounds the fans who eagerly await each year in Providence, RI.

We at Altered Reality Entertainment have decided to bring that level of entertainment, fun and fan interaction to the horror, rock and wrestling world with TERROR CON.

The event will include celebrity signings, artists, vendors, horror and suspense film festivals, psychic readings, add in a little amazement from the Coney Island Side Show, be sure to bring your creepy side for the Costume Contests!

Who says Halloween has to be once a year!

 

The convention is proud to announce:

David Giuntoli (GRIMM)

Russell Hornsby (GRIMM)

Linda Blair (EXORCIST)

Michael Biehn (ALIENS,TERMINATOR)

Dee Snider (ROCK LEGEND)

Lita Ford     (ROCK GODDESS)

Nicholas Brendon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)

Kane Hodder (FRIDAY THE 13^TH)

Irone Singleton (THE WALKING DEAD)

Michael Jai White (SPAWN)

Roy Wooley and Derek and Eric Garcia (FACE OFF)

The Godfather, Papa Shango and Roddy Piper (WWE)

…..and many, many more!

 

Additional guests are still being announced! Tickets are on sale at www.terrorcon.net

For media information contact Jackie Stark at jackie@alteredrealityentertainment.com

Conan O’Brien Heading to SDCC…in 2015

According to The Hollywood Reporter, talk show host Conan O’Brien will broadcast his show from San Diego during the 2015 edition of Comic-Con International:

TBS’ Conan has booked a residency at the Spreckels Theater in downtown San Diego from July 8 to 12, 2015, tied to next year’s annual geek convention.

This marks the first time a late-night talk show has been broadcast from the hugely popular Comic-Con event.

SDCC 2014 Hotel Reservations Open Tomorrow, April 8

Via Toucan Blog:

Comic-Con International 2014 Hotel Reservations open on Tuesday, April 8. We’d like to offer you some tips and advice to get ready for that day.

First of all, click here to go our Hotels page and download the Comic-Con International 2014 Hotel List toview info that you need to know to reserve a room. This list contains all of the hotels currently in the Comic-Con 2014 room block and their prices, plus other useful information, such as shuttle stops and the time it takes in minutes to get to the Convention Center. Additional info includes smoking or non-smoking rooms, pet-friendly hotels, and hotels offering breakfast.

How it works
Badge holders will receive an email at least 72 hours before April 8 that will contain a link to the Travel Planners hotel reservation website. That link will not be active until Tuesday, April 8 at 9:00 AM Pacific time (12:00 PM Eastern time). HANG ON TO THAT EMAIL. You will need it to access the site. The URL of the Hotel Reservations site will also be available on April 8 on our website’s Hotels page at www.comic-con.org/cci/hotels. You will have to cut and paste the URL on the Hotels page and place it into your browser window to access the Travel Planners hotel reservations website. (After April 8, when the hotel reservations website reopens after the initial sale, you can visit www.comic-con.org/cci/hotels to access the Travel Planners site to make changes or cancellations to your reservation.)

Once you get to the Travel Planners website, you will be asked to list SIX (6) hotel choices in order of preference. Everyone making a hotel reservation will be asked to do this, and it must be six choices. Study the Hotel List PDF to pick your choices in advance so you’re ready on Tuesday.

Please keep in mind that the Travel Planners hotel request form website is best accessed from a desktop computer. Accessing this form from a tablet or smartphone device may slow your progress. We highly recommend you use a desktop computer during this hotel request process.

Be realistic in your choices.
There are 55 hotels in the Comic-Con room block, with 29 of them located downtown. Yes, everyone wants to stay downtown, but the hotels located outside of the downtown area are just as comfortable and are serviced (with the exception of three of them) by the Comic-Con Shuttle service, which runs continuously from Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27 at 7:00 PM. (Shuttle frequency varies throughout the day.) If you want to be close to the Convention Center to take advantage of Comic-Con’s nighttime programs and events, you can still hop the shuttle back to your hotel away from the crowds and noise of downtown. And after dealing with crowds and noise all day, doesn’t that quiet getaway sound inviting? You can even book a room NOW during our Early Bird Sale, which features a separate room block in Mission Valley and near the airport and ends April 8 when hotel reservations open. Click here to visit the Early Bird Sale page. (Please note the Early Bird Sale requires a full down payment, plus is non-refundable. Be sure you’re coming to Comic-Con before reserving—and committing—to these rooms!)

Remember:
There are 130,000 attendees at Comic-Con and only so many hotel rooms downtown and in the greater San Diego area. Odds are you’re NOT going to get what you want right off the bat. Hotel reservations opening on Tuesday are for Attendees and Professionals. Exhibitors who set up the great booths in Comic-Con’s Exhibit Hall where everyone loves to shop have a separate room block.

Additional hotel rooms may become available as we get closer to Comic-Con.
People do cancel rooms and those rooms are reassigned to members on the wait list. Check back to see if your other choices become available. Dates to note are the ones when the refund policy changes: April 30, 2014 (when full refunds go away) and June 1, 2014 (last date to cancel and pay for only one night’s room). Cancellations occur after those dates so people can avoid paying for rooms they no longer need.

Please keep in mind that the Travel Planners hotel reservations website is not optimized for smart phone use. We recommend you use a computer during the hotel sale.

Many people will try to access both the Comic-Con website and the Travel Planners website on Tuesday. We anticipate times when both websites may be very slow to respond. We ask you for your patience and to keep trying if at first you don’t succeed. Keep in mind the hotels outside of the downtown area and choose your six choices wisely. Remember that additional hotel rooms may become available later, after cancellation dates.

Valiant to Erect World’s Largest Freestanding Goat for World Record Title at C2E2 2014

Press Release:

VALIANT to Erect WORLD’S LARGEST FREESTANDING GOAT for World Record Title at C2E2 2014!

This April, get ready to see Quantum and Woody‘s world famous sidekick, Vincent Van Goat, like you’ve never seen him before – 45 feet tall and straddling the entrance to Chicago’s McCormick Place!

Valiant is proud to announce that it has partnered with ReedPOP to attempt a new world record on site at C2E2 2014 – Chicago’s premier comics and pop culture convention – to claim the title of “world’s largest freestanding goat” just as the convention opens it doors to the public on April 25th, 2014.

“The Goat has been the MVP of Quantum and Woody – and maybe all of Valiant – when it comes to piquing interest and curiosity in new readers,” said James Asmus, writer of Quantum and Woody. “I have no doubt that having to enter the convention by walking beneath the realistic under-side of a giant goat will have lots of new comic fans asking ‘What the [expletive of choice] is this about?‘”

“For whatever reason, the fans just can’t get enough Goat. We finally gave in and gave them the Goat #0 origin issue, but that just made it worse. We’ve got dozens of people showing up to our offices each day. They’re getting tattoos. They’re legally changing their names to ‘Vincent Van Goat,” said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce.

“We’re mystified, but we figured, hey, bigger is better right? Hence, the world’s largest freestanding goat was born. Or, rather, will be built. At minimal risk to the surrounding populace. We hope,” added Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.

“Valiant is doing what?” said Jennifer Martin, Sales Executive for ReedPOP. “Not only do they not have permission to build whatever this thing is, it sounds incredibly reckless. This is ill-advised on multiple levels, not to mention unsafe.”

Under the strict observation of Valiant interns, the volunteer G.O.A.T. squad (the Giant Organizational Assembly Team) will begin work today on the 45 foot tall by 25 foot wide effigy dedicated to the greatness of the world’s worst superhero team and their square-pupiled partner-in-crime. A standard size representation of Quantum and Woody, with accompanying banana, will also be provided for scale.

But Quantum and Woody fans rejoice – Valiant isn’t stopping there! Not only will the sculpture qualify as the largest goat ever erected in the history of human civilization, but it will also double as a fully functioning piñata to be stuffed with comics, candy, fireworks…and even smaller goat piñatas.

To be constructed with materials including discount-quality chicken wire, pipefittings, and kerosene-soaked human hair, Valiant’s project managers expect the project to be completed in just under three weeks with a minimal loss of human life. The record-setting goat will be displayed for all three days of C2E2, culminating with Sunday’s “Valiant First Piñata Party,” during which attending fans will be equipped with official Goat bludgeoning rods. The first fan to successfully penetrate the artificial beast’s incredibly flammable hide and unearth the goodies inside will be offered up in tribute to the gods of retailer ordering practices.

Parking is expected to be difficult. In the event of lightning, maintain a minimum safe distance and shelter in place.

Reading the complete text of this announcement qualifies as a legal waiver for any and all immediate and/or longterm bodily harm and/or property damage that may result from contact with said sculpture. Enjoy the show!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

DC Comics Announce Harley Quinn Invades San Diego Comic-Con One-Shot for SDCC 2014

According to The Hollywood Reporter, regular writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will write the one-shot, but no artist has been announced.

Press Release:

HARLEY QUINN INVADES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON!

Fan-favorite Harley Quinn might have launched a new monthly series and become a best seller since that debut, but now she’s got her sights on something bigger—San Diego’s famed Comic Convention!

Today, at DCE’s Retailer Roadshow in Florida, the writers behind the fun and humorous series, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, were on hand to announce an exciting new HARLEY QUINN one-shot.

Scheduled for release in July, HARLEY QUINN INVADES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON arrives just in time for SDCC!

Casting Call at Mall of America to Appear in a Promo Campaign for The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Press Release:

ACTION CASTING is looking for knowledgeable and enthusiastic Spider-Man super fans to audition for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Come see us SATURDAY at the Mall of America and you may get an opportunity to swing like Spidey, meet a cast member, or go behind-the-scenes of the new movie The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Five people will be selected to be featured in a promotional campaign which will air across the networks of NBCUniversal.

DATE: Saturday, 03/22/14
TIME: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
LOCATION: The Mall of America
Executive Center
60 E. Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425

Details: www.beamazingspiderfan.com

For questions and all other inquiries please contact us at beamazingspiderfan@gmail.com

Green Mustard Entertainment Giving Away a Yoshi Edition Nintendo 3DS XL at MegaCon 2014

Via Green Mustard Entertainment:

Megacon is THIS WEEKEND!

Green Mustard Entertainment will be set up at Booth #253 selling decals, glasses, t-shirts, and discount convention tickets… AND we’ll be giving away at Yoshi Edition Nintendo 3DS XL at our booth.

But wait… THERE’S MORE.

We’ll also be announcing our next Industry Guest AT Megacon! She’s the voice of one of anime’s best know characters and Florida Anime Experience 2014 will her FIRST Central Florida appearance!

So to recap: This Weekend at Megacon…

WIN A YOSHI EDITION NINTENDO 3DS XL

We’ll also be giving away t-shirts, passes to Florida Anime Experience, and more! Just stop by Booth #253 and pick up a Florida Anime Experience button. Each button is numbered and there are TWO of each button. To enter to win is simple: FIND THE MATCHING BUTTON! Find the person wearing the button that matches your number at the convention and bring him/her back to the booth with you and you will BOTH be entered to win the 3DS XL. Plus, we’ll give away prizes for each group that shows up…

• The first five (5) matching couples will win FREE PASSES to Florida Anime Experience 2014. (10 passes total)
• The next ten (10) matching couples will win T-SHIRTS from the booth. (20 shirts total)
• The remaining matching couples will win DECALS. (We have plenty!)

FIND OUT THE NEXT FLORIDA ANIME EXPERIENCE VOICE GUEST

Stop by the booth, pick up a flyer! Find out about our other upcoming conventions… Florida Comics Experience and WasabiCon! PLUS learn who our newest guest is for this year.

BUY DISCOUNT TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE

We’ll have lots of cool swag for sale at our booth. Swing by and check out: All T-Shirts for $10 PinUpalooza Glasses $7 Decals $1 In addition, we’ll have a LIMITED number of discount Florida Anime Experience 2014 tickets for only $25. These will be for sale during MEGACON ONLY! Don’t miss your chance to get three days of anime convention goodness at our pre-reg price. This is limited to MegaCon attendees ONLY.

DC Announces Emerald City Comicon 2014 Exclusives and Signing Schedule

Press Release:

Announcing DC Entertainment’s Emerald City Comicon Exclusives and Signing Schedule!

Seattle is home of The Space Needle, famous for fish-throwing at Pike Place Market, and of course, the home of Emerald City Comicon!

If you’re heading to the Emerald City Comicon at the end of the month, you won’t want to miss DC Entertainment’s panels and exclusives throughout the course of the convention. Stop by the DCE Booth to say hello! And be sure to attend the fantastic panels and creator signings we’ll be hosting throughout the weekend. This year, DC Entertainment is thrilled to have two exclusive variant comic book covers for sale at ECCC.

BATMAN #29 

Illustrated by fan favorite artist Greg Capullo, the convention exclusive for BATMAN #29, written by Scott Snyder, takes the latest “Riddler” themed cover and gives it a location-specific touch: green for Emerald City! The “DARK CITY” chapter of “ZERO YEAR” reaches its conclusion in this amazing, extra-sized issue!

THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE #1

Written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by J.H. Williams III, THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE #1 has an exclusive 3-D motion cover never before seen on this highly anticipated issue. You won’t want to miss out on this exclusive! The first issue of this new miniseries also features a stunning double-page interior foldout.

THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE #1 3-D exclusive variant will be available for $15 and the Emerald City Comicon BATMAN #29 exclusive variant will be available for $10. Check them out in the gallery above.

And we’re thrilled to announce that artist extraordinaire Jim Lee will be signing from 2:00-4:00pm on Friday, March 28th in the designated Emerald City Comicon signing area. More details below.

Take a look at the panel and signing schedule* below so you don’t miss a thing. Or by downloading the DC Entertainment Events App on Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store, stay up to speed on all DC Entertainment happenings.

Hope to see you there!

 

Friday, March 28

10:30-11:30am – Creator Signing*
Talent: Brian Buccellato, Christopher Burnham

12:00-1:00pm DC COMICS – The Eternal Batman
Panelist(s): Matt Idelson
Moderator(s): Larry Ganem Talent: Ray Fawkes,Dustin Nguyen,Tim Seeley,Scott Snyder,James Tynion IV

Batman: Zero Year continues as one of the biggest Bat-stories ever told! Now with the launch of the weekly Batman Eternal, there has never been a better time to walk the streets of Gotham City! Join the talent behind the Dark Knight for an exclusive look at what’s in store for the World’s Greatest Detective!
Room TCC 301

1:00-2:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs

2:00-3:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes, Robbi Rodriguez

2:00-4:00pm DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee – Creator Signing**
Talent: Co-Publisher Jim Lee (SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, JUSTICE LEAGUE)
**NOTE: Wristband required. Wristbands will be given away at the start of the day at the DCE Booth. Available while supplies last.
Location TBD

4:00-5:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Charles Soule, Alessandro Vitti

5-6pm DC Entertainment – ALL ACCESS
Panelist(s): Matt Idelson, Will Dennis
Moderator: Larry Ganem Talent: Mark Buckingham,Amanda Conner,Derek Fridolfs,Kyle Higgins,Jeff Lemire,Jimmy Palmiotti,Robbi Rodriguez,Scott Snyder,Bill Willingham

At DC Entertainment, there’s never been a better time to be a fan!  Come by for unfiltered access to all things DC Entertainment!  Find out what they have to share from behind-the-scenes at your favorite and most talked about Publisher!  Joining the All-Access party will be some of the industry’s top talents, so don’t miss out!
Room TCC 301

2:00-3:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Scott Snyder

Saturday, March 29

10:30-11:30am – Creator Signing*
Talent: Ann Nocenti, Kyle Higgins

12:00-1:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Gail Simone, Freddie E. Williams II

2-3pm DC COMICS: THE NEW 52
Panelist(s): Matt Idelson
Moderator: Larry Ganem Talent: Brian Buccellato,Jeff Lemire,Ann Nocenti,Gail Simone,Scott Snyder,Charles Soule,Alessandro Vitti

New and veteran fans alike are welcomed to be a part of history as the DC team and top-notch talent discuss the books that are shaping this new era of DC Comics! Don’t miss this exclusive look inside the hottest comic line in decades!
Room TCC 301

2:00-3:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Jimmy Palmiotti, Yanick Paquette

4:00-5:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham

5:30-6:30pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Scott Snyder, Dustin Nguyen

Sunday, March 30

10:30-11:30am – Creator Signing*
Talent: Jeff Parker

12:00-1:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Charles Soule, Alessandro Vitti

2-3pm ART MASTERS: DRAWING DC
Moderator: Larry Ganem
Talent: Yanick Paquette, Freddie Williams II

DC Entertainment is proud to have some of the most immensely talented artists working in comics today. Join us for a unique look into their visual approach in shaping some of your favorite books!
Room TCC 301

2:00-3:00pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham

3:30-4:30pm – Creator Signing*
Talent: Scott Snyder, James T. Tynion IV
Emerald City Comicon takes place March 28-30 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. To purchase the variant covers, head on over the Graphitti Designs booth (#1804), where they will be available while supplies last. And visit the DC Entertainment booth (#1802) to meet some of your favorite writers and artists.

 

*Signing schedule is subject to change.

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